Unable to overcome slow start, New Kent falls 57-40

New Kent's Nakesha Glover drives to the basket past Jamestown's Leondra Graves during first half action Tuesday night.

Alan Chamberlain photo

The initial four-and-a-half minutes of Tuesday’s New Kent Lady Trojans/Jamestown Eagles basketball encounter told the story. Jamestown scored the game’s first 12 points, and the host Lady Trojans could never overcome the early deficit. In the end, the Eagles prevailed 57-40.

Five of Jamestown’s six game-opening baskets resulted from steals, most courtesy of a half-court trap that befuddled New Kent’s playmakers. Lady Trojan head coach Vann Baker used a time out to correct the situation, but the damage had been done.

“We’re not reacting quick enough on the floor, and we’re not seeing the floor,” she said afterward.

Kelsey Yates’ three got New Kent on the scoreboard at the 2:42 mark of the first quarter. The hosts kept the visitors from running away, but Jamestown maintained a comfortable margin thanks to inside work from post players Jamiyah Johnson and Covynthian Williams who scored 21 of their team’s 32 first half points. The Eagles led by 15 at the break.

New Kent narrowed the gap to 32-19 early in the third quarter. Jamestown surged to a 47-26 lead after three periods, weathering a rally that had the hosts back within 13 (51-38) late in the fourth. New Kent never got closer.

“I’ve asked the girls to personally reflect on this game,” said Baker, whose team remained winless at 0-8. Team members are to assess their performance and offer ways they can improve individually, she added.

“I’m going to make overhauls,” she said, pointing to positions and playing time. “We’re not playing the game; we’re letting the game play us, but we’re not giving up.”

Deysha Goodlet’s 10 points and nine from Peyton Slater topped the Lady Trojans. Yates finished with eight followed by Nakesha Glover’s seven and three each from Kayla Davis and Tessa Gray. Jamestown’s Johnson led all scorers with 16.